My favorite holiday is finally approaching. This would be my third year hosting a Thanksgiving meal, needless to say, I already got the menu planned.
When it comes to complicated and multiple courses dinners, I like to keep the dishes simple. This year I decided I did not want additives in my turkey, I want a real turkey. The Fresh Market offers naturally-raised fresh turkey, and even though the price is 4 times more than those in grocery store's deep freezers, I believe in paying a higher price for that a-ha gourmet moment.
Here's the countdown for Turkey Day:
Monday:
Pick up turkey and buy rest of the ingredients. This includes the essential CCO (celery, carrots, and onion, that is).
Tuesday:
Make brine with apple cider and herbs
Make pie crust
Make turkey broth
Mise en place CCO like no other
Wednesday:
To stuff or not to stuff, it's always a dilemma. Here's a article on this, and I decided not to stuff by making Wild Rice Dressing ahead of time.
Make Pear-Cranberry Pie with Oatmeal Streusel
Make Basic Cranberry Sauce
Brine turkey for at least 12 hours (How to Brine a Turkey)
Thursday:
Turkey Trot 5K!
Remove turkey from brine 1 hour before roasting
Season turkey and prepare for roasting (Roast Turkey with Sage Pan Gravy)
Patiently wait for turkey to roast until 165 degrees (food safety!)
Make sage gravy while turkey rests
Be thankful (if) everything went well and my oven didn't break down
Be thankful my guests are bringing side dishes
Carve, eat, take pictures, eat, and eat again
A new life in Kentucky and a new Nikon SLR camera. What's a better way to explore the Horse Capital than through my camera lens?
Gee thanks for making me insanely hungry now :)
ReplyDeleteI like making Thanksgiving dinner too, but hate making a turkey. I'm still on the fence as to whether I'll buy a big bird or just a couple of turkey breasts this year. Your pear cranberry pie with oatmeal streusel sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have it all set! I love that you are squeezing in a Turkey Trot! I'll be running one two, but I don't have dinner duties this year so I have no excuses! I'm with Candy though. I love making T-day dinner, but the turkey is my least favorite task. Maybe I just need to get more creative.
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